A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS ON HOME EXERCISE PROGRAM ADHERENCE IN MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS USING THE EXERCISE ADHERENCE RATING SCALE (EARS) – A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Background: Adherence to Home Exercise Program (HEP) is crucial for achieving an effective rehabilitation outcome, particularly among middle-aged adults (40-60 years) who have to face many challenges maintaining regular physical activities. Understanding the current adherence levels can inform strategies to enhance participation in HEP regimens. Objective: The study aims to find the level of adherence in middle-aged adults to HEP using the Exercise Adherence Rating Scale (EARS) through a patient report. Methods: The study was conducted with middle-aged adults who follow HEP for musculoskeletal conditions. Participants were asked to fill the EARS; to know the level of adherence they have towards home exercise program. Data were collected from patients who approached OPD following a musculoskeletal condition. Descriptive statistics are done with the data collected to analyze the adherence of subjects towards exercise. Result: From the EARS questionnaire it was analyzed that from a total of 94 subjects present in this study, 76 subjects showed a non-adherent value, and 18 subjects showed adherent value. The average mean value and standard deviation value of the non-adherent group is 11.8 ± 0.607 and 2.701, while for the adherent group it is 19.16 ± 0.385 and 0.833 respectively. Conclusion: From this study it is known that middle-aged adults are non-adherent to home exercise programs because of which the improvement in the rehabilitation program is not fulfilled.